Cuticle cutting instrument

ABSTRACT

A cuticle cutting instrument has tubes rotatably disposed in each other and forming two working endings, cutting elements provided on the endings, handles fixed on the tubes, a return spring installed between the handles, and a tubing connection for communicating with a vacuum source.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a cuticle cutting instrument such as a cuticle nipper or cuticle scissor.

[0002] Such instruments are known in the art and described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,894,324. Cutting elements of the known instrument are provided on end the front of a tube and a rod which is rotatably disposed in the tube. One of two handles hingedly connected with each other, is fixed with the tube, while the other is hingedly connected with an additional cylinder having spiral slots engaged with pins of the rod.

[0003] Another instrument is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,074,020. The instrument has two tubes with cutting elements on their front end rotatably arranged within each other. A driving mechanism is provided which makes it possible to effect the rotation of the tubes by pressing upon one or two lateral lever arms with the fingers of the hand holding machine.

[0004] However, their construction does not let to install the cutting elements on their rear end.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide a cuticle cutting instrument which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0006] In keeping with this object and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a cuticle cutting instrument which has tubes rotatably disposed in each other and having the front and the rear working ends intended for installing cutting elements, a driving mechanism, and a tubing connection for communication with a vacuum source.

[0007] Accordingly with another feature of the invention the cutting elements may be replaceable.

[0008] The novel feature of the present invention will be defined in the claims.

[0009] The invention itself, however, will be best understood from the following description which are accompanied by the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cuticle cutting instrument in accordance with the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a vertical view of FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the cutting elements in open relation;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating the cutting elements in closed or cutting relation;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the instrument with different connection of handles;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing an alternative connection with the vacuum source;

[0016] FIGS. 8,16,20 are vertical views of the instrument with alternative driving mechanisms in the open relation;

[0017] FIGS. 9,17,21 are sectional views on the line 9-9,17-17,21-21 of FIGS. 8,16,20 accordingly;

[0018]FIGS. 10,18 are vertical views of FIGS. 8,16 in closed position;

[0019]FIGS. 11,19 are sectional views on the line 11-11,19-19 of FIGS. 10,18 accordingly;

[0020]FIGS. 22,23 are perspective views of the lateral lever arms,

[0021] FIGS. 24 to 28 are mechanical diagrams with alternative driving mechanisms.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] A cuticle cutting instrument in accordance with the present invention has an outer member consisting of tubes 1,1′ (FIGS. 1,2), an inner member (a tube) 2 rotatably disposed in the tubes 1,1′, cutting elements 3,4 of cuticle nipper which have cutting edges 5,6, and cutting elements 3′,4′ of cuticle scissor which have cutting edges 5′,6′ provided on two working ends of the instrument, a driving mechanism consisting of a handle 8, handle 10 and two (or one) return springs 11, 11′ installed between the handles 8,10. The handle 10 has a rim 9 fixed on the tube 2 by screw 13, and the handle 8 has rims 7,7′ fixed on the tubes 1,1′ by screws 12,12′ which prevent axial shifts of the cylinders 1,1′ along the tube 2.

[0023] When a user presses handles 8,10, cylinders 1,1′ and 2 turn in the opposite directions shown by arrows (FIG. 3), and the edges 5,6 and 5′,6′ of the cutting elements 3,4 and 3′,4′ accordingly come together (FIG. 4). After that, springs 11, 11′ return the instrument in the initial position.

[0024] Cutting elements 3,4 and 3′,4′ may be replaceably connected with tubes 1, 1′ by screws 18,18′, which protrude through transversal slots 15, 15′ of the cutting elements 4, 4′. The cutting elements are engaged with the instrument by projections 16,16′ on the cylinders 4,4′ and slots 17,17′ on the member 2. Screws 18,18′ prevent an axial shifts of the cutting elements 4,4′ accordingly.

[0025] The non-useable end of the instrument may be closed with a safety cup 20, or connected with a vacuum source by a hose 19.

[0026] A handle 8″ (FIGS. 5,6) may be fixed with the outer tube 1″ while a handle 10″ protruding through a transversal slot 22 in a cylinder 1″, is fixed with an inner member 2″. A spring 11″ is engaged with the cylinder 1″ and with the inner member 2″ by its bended endings, one of which protrudes through the transversal slot 22 in the cylinder 1″.

[0027] The instrument may be connected with vacuum source 19′ (FIG. 7) by a tubing connection 21 communicating with hole in the inner member 2′ in the middle portion of the instrument, and fixed with a rim 9′ of a handle 10′.

[0028] The instrument (FIGS. 8 to 23) may have an outer member (or members) remaining in unvarying position in relation to the handles while cutting is effected by rotation of the inner member in order to avoid any undesired movement and therefore also avoiding any danger of bringing the cutting edge in touch with, for example, the cuticle (scin) and cutting the same.

[0029] The outer member of the instrument may consist of tubes 1 a, 1′a (FIGS. 8,9), and an inner member (tube or rod) 2 a is rotatably disposed in the tubes 1 a,1′a. The inner cylinder 2 a is provided with a two rectangle pins 25 a arranged at opposite ends of a diameter. On the outer cylinder 1 a, 1′a fore studs 26 a are screwed in, on which two pair of lateral lever arms 27 a and 27′a, are rotatably mounted. These lever arms have (FIG. 22) U-shaped cross-section and embrace the cylinders. Each lever arm have a pair of loops 31 a while handles 8 a have loops 32 a with slots 34 a. Pins 30 fixed in the loops 31 a protrude into the slots 34 a of the loops 32 a. Flanges 28 a, 28′a of the lever arms lying in the planes of movement, are provided with slots 29 a in which one of the pin 25 a engages whereby a gear connection is provided which effects a rotation of the cylinders 1 a, 1′a and cylinder 2 a against each other, if the handles 8 a are compressed. The pins 25 a protrude through two opposite slots 33 a on adjusting ends of the cylinders 1 a,1′a which limit its angle of turn, and therefore, the positions of the lever arms. The two pairs of lever arms are apart under two return springs 11 a. The pins 30 are in outer position in the slots 34 a. If the handles are compressed (FIGS. 10,11), pins 30 are in inner position in the slots 34 a. Screws 12 a (FIG. 15) are screwed into the outer tubes 1 a, 1′a and engage with their points the grooves 14 a arranged on part or on the entire circumference of the inner member 2 a to prevent axial shifts of the cylinders. Screws 18 a fix the replaceable cutting elements.

[0030] The ends of inner member 2 b (FIGS. 16,17) may have at its one (or two) lower portion a round pin 25 b arranged at the opposite ends of the diameter for connection with slots 29 b of flanges 28 b, 28′b of lever arms 27 b,27′b whereby gear connection is provided. An outer tube 1 b may have two slots 33 b arranged at the opposite sides of the diameter. The side views of the lever arms (FIG. 23) are Z-shaped, and the cross-section of its opposite ends are U-shaped. Each lever arm has a window, and the lever arm 27 b is inserted into the window of the lever arm 27 b. After that the cylinders 1 b, 2 b are inserted into the lever arms. Two studs 26 b are screwed in, on which the two lever arms are rotatably mounted. If the handles 8 b are compressed (FIGS. 18,19), the lever arms with U-shaped cross-section embrace the right and the left portions of the cylinders. Only one loop 32 b of each handle 8 b may have the slot 34 b. The pin 25 b of the inner member 2 b protrudes through slots 33 b and prevent the axial shifts of the cylinders 1 b and 2 b.

[0031] The cuticle cutting instrument may have four plates 27 c,27′c (FIGS. 20,21) representing lever arms and connected with a U-shaped handle 8 c by pins 30 and slots 34 c provided in the right pair of the plates 27 c and 27′c. The plates 27 c are engaged with pins 25 c by slots 29 c. Slots 33 c of cylinder 1 c and the pins 25 c prevent axial shifts of the cylinders 1 c and 2 c. The slots 29 c in the one side pair of the plates 27 c are engaged with the pins 25 c of inner member 2 c protruding through the slots 33 c. The plates are mounted on the cylinder 1 c by studs 26 c. A flat spring 11 c installed between the handle 8 c and the cylinder 1 c, is fixed with the handle by a screw 35.

[0032] FIGS. 24 to 28 show the mechanical diagrams of the cuticle cutting instrument with the different dispose of the lever arms of the driving mechanism.

[0033] Cutting elements may be integral with tubes.

[0034] The nipper (or scissor) may be provided only on front end of the instrument.

[0035] The invention is not limited to details shown since structural changes are possible without departing from the spirit of the same. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cuticle cutting instrument comprising an outer member consisting at least of one tube, an inner member rotatably disposed in said tube, said tube and said inner member forming two working endings of the instrument and provided with cutting elements, and driving mechanism.
 2. A cuticle cutting instrument as defined in claim 1, in which said driving mechanism consists of handles fixed on said members and at least one return spring installed between said handles.
 3. A cuticle cutting instrument as defined in claim 1, in which said cutting elements is a nipper.
 4. A cuticle cutting instrument as defined in claim 1, in which said cutting elements is a scissor.
 5. A cuticle cutting instrument as defined in claim 1, in which said cutting elements are replaceable.
 6. A cuticle cutting instrument as defined in claim 1, in which said inner member is a tube.
 7. A cuticle cutting instrument as defined in claim 1, and further provided with a tubing connection for communication with a vacuum source.
 8. A cuticle cutting instrument as defined in claim 1, in which said driving mechanism consists of at least two lever arms hingedly connected with said outer member and with said handles, and has a means for connection with said inner member, and at least one return spring.
 9. A cuticle cutting instrument as defined in claims 1 and 8, in which said means consists of slots provided on said lever arms, and pins protruding through said inner member and engaged with said slot, and said spring is installed between said lever arms.
 10. A cuticle cutting instrument as defined in claims 1 and 8 in which said driving mechanism consists of four plates hingedly connected with handle and said outer member, and said spring is installed between said handle and said outer member. 